With its beautiful environment, pleasant climate, comprehensive welfare system, advanced education, and open and inclusive multiculturalism, Australia is the impression many have of the country. This is also why countless Chinese choose to come here to study and work, and why many people from China choose to immigrate to Australia.
2019 Most Comprehensive Guide to Australian Immigration Methods and Application Requirements for Each
I. Skilled Migration
1. Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
Application Requirements:
Occupation must be on the MLTSSL list
Must pass a skills assessment
Age under 45
IELTS score of at least 6 in each of the 4 components
EOI score must reach 65 points
Meet health and character requirements
Processing Time:
Generally 7-8 months.
Visa Fee:
From AUD4,045
2. Subclass 489 to Subclass 887 Regional State/Territory Nominated or Family Sponsored Skilled Migration
Application Requirements:
State-nominated occupations must be on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL lists
Family-sponsored occupations must be on the MLTSSL list
Must pass a skills assessment
Age under 45
IELTS score of at least 6 in each of the 4 components
Obtain nomination from a state or territory government
EOI score must reach 65 points
Meet health and character requirements
The 489 is a temporary resident (TR) visa; you must live in a designated regional area for two years or more and work full-time for at least one year to be eligible to transition to the 887 permanent resident (PR) visa.
Processing Time:
The Department of Home Affairs has no specified processing time.
Visa Fee:
From AUD4,045
Regional relatives must meet the following requirements:
Relatives must reside in a designated regional area.
Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The relationship must be: (step)child, (step)parent, sibling (including adopted or step-siblings), aunt/uncle (including adopted or step-aunts/uncles), niece/nephew (including adopted or step-nieces/nephews), (great) grandparent, or a first cousin who shares the same (great) grandparent as you.
(The Australian government has previously announced the latest immigration amendment bill. This modification mainly concerns adjustments to the skilled migration points table and regional visas. For detailed descriptions, please click: Breaking! Australian immigration policy has changed again! Major reform of the points table, with new adjustments to regional visa details!)
3. Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
Application Requirements:
Occupation must be on the MLTSSL or STSOL list
Must pass a skills assessment
Age under 45
IELTS score of at least 6 in each of the 4 components
Obtain nomination from a state or territory government
EOI score must reach 65 points
Meet health and character requirements
Processing Time:
Generally 9 - 13 months.
Visa Fee:
From AUD4,045
In addition, as of July 1 this year, the application requirements for state-nominated visas in various states have also undergone some changes.
Currently announced changes include:
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has shortened the work and residency requirements for the 190 state-nominated visa to 3 months.
Specific application requirements are:
(1) Canberra local residents
Must have worked and resided in Canberra for at least three months, working at least 20 hours per week
Multiple jobs can be combined
English proficiency must reach a level equivalent to 4 bands of 7
If you want to claim points for a spouse, you must provide a marriage certificate or proof of de facto relationship
When submitting the application, the spouse cannot be residing in another state
(2) Overseas applicants
For G1 and G2 occupations, English proficiency must be 4 bands of 7 or equivalent
Must have one year of work experience related to the nominated occupation in the past 3 years
If you do not have a JOB OFFER, you must provide evidence that you have seriously researched employment opportunities in Canberra
If you want to claim points for a spouse, you must provide a marriage certificate or proof of de facto relationship
When submitting the application, the spouse cannot be residing in another state
South Australia announced its state nomination policy for the new fiscal year on July 1 and updated its occupation list.
Except for the expansion of the occupation list to 498 occupations, other policies have not changed much from last year.
Applications for South Australia's state nomination for this fiscal year can be submitted starting July 3.
Application Requirements:
Reside and work in South Australia for at least two years (489 visa holders must reside in a regional area)
Age not exceeding 45
Nominated occupation must be on the South Australia State Nominated Occupation List (SNOL)
Pass the skills assessment from the relevant authority
At least 12 months of skilled work experience in the last 3 years; some occupations may require more work experience
Meet the minimum English requirements specified for each occupation on the occupation list
EOI score reaches 65 points, including the points for state nomination
If the nominated occupation requires a higher score, you must also meet the SA EOI score requirements for this occupation
II. Partner Migration
1. Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
Application Requirements:
1. The fiancé(e) is an Australian permanent resident or citizen
2. Meet health and character requirements
3. It is a genuine romantic relationship
Processing Time:
Generally 12 – 16 months.
Visa Fee:
From AUD7,715
Note:
Holders of this visa can travel freely in and out of Australia within 9 months and can study or work in Australia, but they must marry within the validity period of the visa. After marriage, they can submit the next step of the partner visa application.
2. Onshore Subclass 820 to Subclass 801, Offshore Subclass 309 to Subclass 100
Conditions for obtaining a partner visa:
a. Fiancé(e)
b. Married
c. 12-month de facto relationship (can be same-sex)
Application Requirements:
The sponsor is an Australian permanent resident or citizen
Meet health and character requirements
It is a genuine romantic relationship
Processing Time:
Offshore generally 14 - 19 months
Onshore generally 23 – 27 months
Visa Fee:
From AUD7,715
III. Parent Migration
1. Subclass 103 Parent Visa (Non-contributory)
Application Requirements:
The applicant's child is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or New Zealand citizen
The applicant's child has legally resided in Australia for at least two years.
Pass the balance-of-family test
The applicant meets health and character requirements
If the applicant is in Australia, the current visa must not have an 8503 condition
Processing Time:
The Department of Home Affairs has no specified processing time; the current waiting time is approximately 30 years.
Visa Fee:
From AUD4,350
2. Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa
Application Requirements:
The applicant's child is an Australian permanent resident, Australian citizen, or New Zealand citizen
The applicant's child has legally resided in Australia for at least two years
Pass the balance-of-family test
Must obtain an Assurance of Support (AOS)
The applicant meets health and character requirements
Processing Time:
The Department of Home Affairs has no specified processing time; the current waiting time is approximately 40 months.
Visa Fee:
Visa application fee — From AUD4,155
Contribution fee — AUD43,600
Assurance of Support bond — AUD10,000
IV. Child Migration
1. Subclass 445 Dependent Child Visa
Application Requirements:
The applicant can be the biological child, stepchild, or adopted child of the parents
Parents hold a 309 or 820 visa
Parents and children are sponsored by the same sponsor
The child is single, under 18 years old, or over 18 but financially dependent on the parent holding the temporary partner visa
Meet health and character requirements
Can submit the application within or outside Australia
If the child applying has other siblings, they need to submit separate applications
Processing Time:
The Department of Home Affairs has no specified processing time.
Visa Fee:
From AUD2,665
2. Subclass 101 Child Visa
Application Requirements:
The applicant (child outside Australia) is the child or stepchild of the sponsor.
The sponsor is an Australian citizen, holder of an Australian permanent resident visa, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
For stepchildren, if the sponsoring stepparent is no longer the partner of the child's parent but has a legal responsibility to care for the child, then stepchildren under 18 can be included in this application.
Children adopted outside Australia must have been adopted before their parents became Australian citizens, holders of Australian permanent resident visas, or eligible New Zealand citizens. If adopted after this, they should apply under the adoption visa category.
Dependent children must be dependents of their sponsor. Children under 18 are considered dependents. They must rely on the sponsor for financial support and to meet basic living needs such as food, clothing, and shelter.
The child must be under 18 years old; if between 18-25, they must be a full-time student; or over 18 but disabled
The child as an applicant must be single and has never been married or in a de facto relationship.
Processing Time:
Generally 11 – 15 months.
Visa Fee:
From AUD2,665
V. Employer Sponsored Migration
1. Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
The TSS visa is divided into 3 categories, as follows:
(1) Short-term stream TSS visa:
Visa validity is up to 2 years
Nominated occupation must be on the STSOL list
Processing Time:
Generally 35 - 52 days.
Visa Fee:
From AUD1,175
(2) Medium-term stream TSS visa:
Visa validity is up to 4 years
Nominated occupation must be on the MLTSSL or ROL list
After working for the employer for 3 years, there will be an opportunity to apply for a 186 or 187 permanent resident visa
Processing Time:
Generally 31 - 46 days.
Visa Fee:
From AUD2,455
(3) Labour Agreement stream TSS visa:
The employer introduces skilled workers from overseas through a government labour agreement, similar to the previous 457 era.
Processing Time:
Generally 30 – 47 days.
Visa Fee:
AUD1,265 - AUD2,645
2. Subclass 186 / 187 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
Application Requirements:
Obtain a job nomination from an employer with sponsorship qualifications;
Age under 45;
Meet the skills and qualification requirements for the nominated occupation and complete the relevant skills assessment;
Meet English language requirements, reaching IELTS 6 in each of the 4 components or equivalent;
Good health, no criminal record;
Meet the additional requirements of the visa category applied for
Processing Time:
Subclass 186: Generally 11 – 15 months
Subclass 187: Generally 11 – 23 months
Visa Fee:
From AUD4,045
VI. Business Investment Migration
1. Business Innovation Stream – 188A
Application Requirements:
Total family net assets must reach over 800,000 AUD
Applicant's age not exceeding 55
The applicant has direct involvement in the operation of the company and has successful business management experience
Take two high-performing fiscal years out of four
Own at least 30% of the company's shares, and the company's annual turnover is not less than 500,000 AUD; if the annual turnover of a single company is less than 500,000 AUD, the turnover of 2 companies can be added together; if the company's annual turnover is less than 400,000 AUD, a 51% shareholding is required. For those over 400,000 AUD, a 30% shareholding is required
EOI must reach 65 points
The applicant meets health and character requirements
Suitable for:
Small and medium-sized business owners or managers of large enterprises.
Visa Fee:
From AUD5,375
2. Investor stream – 188B
Application Requirements:
In the 2 fiscal years before application, the personal and family net assets under the names of the couple are not less than 2.55 million AUD
Have good direct investment and management experience in three of the past 5 fiscal years
In the past 5 fiscal years, the applicant and their spouse have had at least 1 fiscal year of direct management of:
a. A business in which the applicant, their spouse, or the applicant and their spouse jointly own more than 10% of the shares, or;
b. An investment of at least 1.5 million AUD owned by the applicant, their spouse, or the applicant and their spouse jointly
Applicant's age not exceeding 55
EOI must reach 65 points
Obtain nomination from an Australian state or territory government
The applicant meets health and character requirements
Suitable for:
Successful professional investors.
Visa Fee:
From AUD5,375
3. Significant Investor stream – 188C
Application Requirements:
Possess at least 5 million AUD in assets, which must be legally obtained and disposable
Obtain nomination from an Australian state or territory government
The applicant meets health and character requirements
The applicant needs to invest at least 5 million AUD in designated investment areas:
a. At least 500,000 AUD invested in Australian venture capital or growth private equity funds (VC/PE) that invest in start-ups or small private companies;
b. Invest at least 1.5 million AUD in funds specifically targeting investments in Australian listed small and medium-sized enterprises (market capitalization not exceeding 500 million AUD);
c. The remaining maximum of 3 million AUD invested in management funds or listed investment companies with a more comprehensive investment scope (such as stocks, bonds, preference shares, and real estate, etc.).
Suitable for:
High-net-worth, high-income successful individuals.
Visa Fee:
From AUD7,880
4. Business Talent (Permanent) visa – Subclass 132
Application Requirements:
Significant Business History stream:
Obtain state government nomination (EOI invitation)
Have overall successful business experience
Age under 55 when receiving the invitation
No English requirement
Net assets reached 400,000 AUD in at least 2 of the 4 fiscal years before receiving the invitation
Business annual turnover reached 3 million AUD in at least 2 of the 4 fiscal years before receiving the invitation
If the business is not a listed company, you need to own at least 30% of the shares
If the business is a listed company, you need to own at least 10% of the shares
Business and personal net assets reached 1.5 million AUD
Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream:
Obtain state government nomination and an invitation to apply for the EOI visa
Have an overall successful business background
Reach a legal and enforceable agreement with a member of the Australian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCAL) to obtain at least 1 million AUD in venture capital to fund high-value business ideas, including: early-stage product commercialization; business development; business expansion.